Arc-lamp equipment



J1me 1929. vc. A. B. HALVORSON, JR 1,718,928

ARC LAMP EQUIPMENT Filed May 10, 1923 Inventor Cromwell A. B. HaNorsof-fln by M W His Attorney.

Patented June 25, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT" OFFICE.

CROMWELL A. B. HALVORSON, JI R, OF LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

ARC-LAMP EQUIPMENT.

Application filed May 10,

moving the electrodes so that one electrode is prevented from feeding faster than the other; to provide an improved form of electrode holder; to provide an improved socket for the arc-lamp; and to provide other details of improvement.

r The above results are all obtained through the medium of means and deviceshereinafter more fully described and claimed.

The accompanying drawing, Fig. 1, shows an arc-lamp and holder embodying the principles of my invention This drawing is shown partly in section, particularly the lowor part thereof in order to more fully show the detail of the socket arrangement and of the unit element which controls the feeding operation of the electrodes. Fig.1 2 is a detail drawing of the feed mechanism for the negative electrodes of the arc lamp. This figure shows this part of the mechanismin elevation.

- and partly in section.

Referring more 1n detail tothe drawing, in the upper part of the lamp there issecured to the framework a permanent electrode 2 which may be considered as the positive electrode.

This electrode is of such a character that the rate of consumption is negligible. The elsejecting hollow arm 5. This arm is covered with insulating material 6 on the outside.

The arm 3 is secured through a suitable framework 3 to the arm 5 on top of the insulating material 6 so as to electrically separate the arms 3 and 5. Secured to the frameivork 6 there is provided a solenoid 7 which controls a plunger 8 through the medium of which thearc striker 9 is operated. Thestrike 'er 9 is mounted on the arm 10 which is pivoted at the point 11. The solenoid apparatus and the striker mechanism are insulated from the arm 5. However, the striker 9 normally rests in engagement with the negative electrode 12 1923. Serial No. 638,113.

which electrode together with the companion longitudinal axis of the electrode 2. Electrode 13 is similarly arranged, the holding channel being located on the opposite side of the axis of the electrode 2 and sloping toward it. These two electrodes 12 and 13 come together at-a point shortly below the positive electrode as shown. This abutment connection is constantly maintained during the operationof the lamp. This is brought about through themedium of the arm '15 which latter serves as a rest for the'lower terminals of the electrodes 12 and 13 as shown. The arm 15 projects toward the left beyond the channel 14 and toward the right'into a guide channel within the arm 5. Within this channel I provide a coiled spring 17 theupperend of which is secured to the cap 18 on top o'f'the arm 5 and the lower end of which is secured to the end '19 of the arm'15 which end slides within-the channel in the arm 5. Therefore, the spring 17 constantly holds the arm under tension against the lower ends of electrodes 12 and13-maintaining the two electrodes in constant abutment at their 'upper ends. With this arrangement it .will be seen that the two inengagement with the electrode 12 cannot ,move upwardly any faster than the right hand side or element of the arm 15 which stands in engagement with the electrode 13. As indicated in the drawing, the arm 15 projects through both channels l i and 16.

There is a slot along the arms A and vB on both the inner and outer sides of the channels which'slots serve as retaining guides for the arm 15. Furthermore, I provide the channels 141 and 16 with a lid which serves to prevent the electrodes from falling out. This lid is in a form of a triangle as indicated. The base of the triangle is suitably hinged tothe low or portion 21 of the frame, the hinge extending, of course, parallel to the base of the triangle. ,Near the apex there is an opening through which a spring 22 projects. This spring forms a latch for latching the lid;' The spring is secured, at its base, to the opposite side of the'electrode holder. When it is desired to remove the electrodes the spring 22 is raised sufficiently to disengage the lid which latter is lifted or rotated about the hinge. In this way the electrodes are uncovered and may be lifted out.

'The lower portion of the arc lamp is pro vided with a socket quite similar to the usual socket found on the end of an electric light bulb except that instead of threads a bayonet-joint is used for securing the socket to the casing that usually is mounted on the top of a pole. The outer terminal 23 of the socket is located in engagement with the outer terminal of the socket 24 through the medium of the bayonet-joint pins 25. In this way an electrical connection is established between the elments 23 and '24 which latter are in .pemanent electrical connection with the .binding post 26. On the other hand binding post 27 is in permanent electrical connection with the spring 28, the forward end of which latter is normally in electrical engagement I with the socket 24. However, when the lamp is pressedinto position the nut which forms the centralelectrieal terminalof the lampsocket bends the spring 28 down and out of engagement with the socket 241:, thereby, breaking the connection between tenninals 26 and 27 at that point. The nut 30 does 7 not directly strike the spring 28 but strikes p and the nut 30 which latter through the medium of the rod 33 establishes electrical connection with the electrodes 12 and 13. On the other hand the socket 24- is connected electrically with the conductor 34 which latter is connected with one end of winding of the coil in" the solenoid7. The other end of the sole I noid winding is connected wit-h the frame of the solenoid 7 and, therefore, stands in connection with the positive electrode 2. Normally before the current is turned on the striker 9 stands in engagement with the electrode 12. The appearance of the current in the circuit energizes the solenoid 7 which latter causes the striker 9 to be raised and. carried near or against the positiveelectrode '2; Theresult is that the arc is established between the positive and negative terminals of the lamp. During the operation of the lamp the solenoid remains energized and the striker 7 remains raised due to the fact that the solenoid is in series with the lamp. As the elec trodes are consumed the arm 15 slowly rises feeding both electrodes 12 and 13 toward the abutment point at the same rate. This prevents one electrode from projecting beyond the other. As the electrodes are consumed and the arm 5 rises, a contact element 35 on the arm'15 rises also, said contact being permanently seeuredto the arm. As the arm 15 approaches the upper limit of its stroke the conta'ct'ss approaches the corresponding conreplenish it with new electrodes. It will be observed that near the lower end of the lamp there is a so-called spark gap between the base 21 and the screw 37. This screw is in electrical connection with the conductor 34 and is in close proximity to the base 21 of the lamp which is on the inside of the circuit. It will be seen that by raising the screw37 until it from the terminal 27 to the spring 28 and rod 33' to the base plate 21, thence by way of screw 37 to the base element 23, thence to the socket element 24 and to terminal 26. The object of this construction is to enable a repair man to short circuit the lamp while he is replenishing with electrodes like electrodes 12 and 13. Another object in providing the screw 37 near to the base 21 is to permit the are to jump from the screw 37 to the base 21 in the event that the arc should go out between the electrodes 12, 13 and 2 and in the event that the striker 9 is unable to draw the arc. In that event, the line voltage is suflicient to bridge the gap, thereby. maintaining the continuityof the circuit until the lamp is repaired. When the lamp is to be replenished the lamp is short circuited bymeans of the screw 37 and thelid 20 is raised and the arm 15 pulleddown. The finger terminal 38 is 7 provided for this purpose. trodes are slipped in place and the lid 20 closed. This will leave thestriker 9 against the new electrode. Now if the screw 37 is withdrawn from engagement with the base 21, the current will again flow through the solenoid and the lamp will start functioning again. i e

-It will be understood that in the usual lighting system in common use a number of lamps are connected in series. Each of the lamps in the system is provided with a pair of terminals similar tothe terminals 26 and 27. These are all connected in series. 7 I contemplate'using the lamps described in a similar system and similarly connected. If a lamp of the drawing is removed from its socket the spring 28 is relieved from the weight of the lamp which spring then engages the member 24: and prevents the series circuit from going open when the lamp unit is removed.

It will thus be seen that I provide an arc The new elec-.

lamp of the abutment feed type in which a single element drives the two electrodes, thus insuring against one electrode feeding faster than the other. This arrangement may be considered as a driving unit for each electrode, both units rigidly connected to form the arm 15. It will also be seen that I provide a very efiicient and compact socket ar rangement which is specially adapted for use in a series system. I also provide a simple electrode holder from which the electrodes may be removed or into which they may be readily inserted sidewise. It will also be seen that the movable elements are reduced to a minimum and that the striker device is direct, effective and simple.

WVhile I have described only one embodiment of my invention, I do not wish to be limited to the particular form shown and described as it will be apparent that many modifications therein may be made without departing from the scope of my invent-ion as set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. In an electric are lamp, an electrode holder having converging channels for a pair of converging electrodes, 21 cover for said channels and means for pivotally securing the cover to the lamp.

2. In an abutment feed arc lamp, in combination, a positive electrode, a pair of negative electrodes for maintaining an are, an abutment feed for the negative electrodes in the form of a single arm, a track serving as a guide for the arm, a resilient member for moving the arm to feed. the negative electrodes and a switch for shunting the are when said arm is moved to a predetermined point.

3. In an abutment feed are lamp, in combinatioma positive electrode, a pair of negative electrodes for maintaining an are, an abutment feed for the negative electrodes in the form of a single arm, a track serving as a guide for the arm, a resilient member for moving the arm to feed the negative electrodes, and a switch for shunting the are when said arm is moved to a predetermined point, oneterminal of said switch being carried by said arm.

4. In'an abutment feed are lamp, in combination, a positive electrode, a pair of negative electrodes for maintaining an are, an abutment feed for the negative electrodes in the form of a single arm, a track serving as a guide for the arm, a resilient vmember for moving the arm to feed the negative electrodes, a switch for shunting the are when said arm is moved, and hand operated means for depressing said arm against the tension of said resilient member for releasing the two negative electrodes.

5. In an abutment feed arclamp, in combination, a positive electrode, a pair of negative electrodes, an abutment feed for the negative electrodes comprising a single arm adapted to engage both electrodes, a track serving as a guide for the arm, and a resilient member for moving the arm to feed the negative electrodes toward each other and toward the positive electrode.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 7th day of May, 1923.

CROMWELL A. B. HALVORSON, J n. 

